November 15, 2013

Dare to DIY

November 15, 2013/ Michelle S

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The time where we watch Elf 17 times in 3 weeks. And...

It's Dare to DIY time!

Some of you may be familiar with this little link party originated by the lovely NewlyWoodwards. "Dare to DIY" is a fun series of link-ups to motivate us to DIY projects through Thanksgiving and Christmas - and to do it together. It's a great way to complete some of those holiday projects and meet new blog friends.

The fifth year of this series of blog parties is going to be the best yet!

And why, you ask?

The co-hosts are awesome.

Kim at NewlyWoodwards (The mastermind of this awesome DIY-ness.)

Cassie at Primitive and Proper.

Michelle at Decor and the Dog (That's me!)

Rachel at Maybe Matilda.

We'll all be hosting one week at our blog and we'll have an awesome giveaway each week for one of you! That means more projects and more fun!

Here's the plan:

Each Monday morning, the link party goes live for that week's Dare to DIY challenge at the blog listed above. You can link up your best project (or two). Just remember that the post should correspond with the theme of the week.

The linky will stay live through Wednesday. Later in the week, each of us will spotlight at least 3 projects we loved from the week on our blogs. And one of you will win a special prize! We'll also pin those projects on our shared Pinterest board.

The only rules:

1. Please follow the Dare to DIY theme of the week (see below). You can share up to 2 projects.

2. Please link back to Dare to DIY on one of our blogs.

3. Please go to at least one other blog and comment. This is a party. So get to know a few other bloggers.

And here are the themes - starting in less than 2 weeks. Dare to do it, lovely readers. Dare to do it.

Party Date: Monday, Nov. 25

(Link goes live Monday morning at Primitive and Proper)

Dare to… be thankful!

DIY a Thanksgiving project to remind you to be grateful during this season. Ideas include a Thanksgiving advent calendar, artwork or banners.

Giveaway: One of you will win 1 artisan enhancement 8 oz leaf and foil, 1 artisan enhancement 8 ounce clear topcoat, 1 copper gilding wax, 1 silver gilding wax and 15 feet of foil from Catfish Studio.

Party Date: Monday, Dec. 2

(Link goes live Monday morning at Maybe Matilda)

Dare to… entertain!

DIY something for your table. This could be something from last week's Thanksgiving table or a new Christmas look. Get creative and use things in new ways. Or go true DIY and make something totally new. Ideas include place mats, table runners, place cards or centerpieces.

Giveaway: One of you will win 50 free Christmas cards from Tiny Prints.

Party Date: Monday, Dec. 9

(Link goes live Monday morning at Decor and the Dog)

Dare to… give homemade gifts!

DIY a gift made by you. Nothing is more special to give than something you created, so share projects that will be given in brown paper packages this holiday season. Ideas include bath and body items, kitchen gifts, hand-sewn clothing or home decor.

Giveaway: One of you will win a free stencil from Royal Design Studio.

Party Date: Monday, Dec. 16

(Link goes live Monday morning at NewlyWoodwards.)

Dare to… deck the halls!

DIY something new to deck your halls. Did you find something in a catalog that you wish you had? Wreaths, stockings, pillows or advent calendars? Make it! Inspire us all to do the same.

Giveaway: One of you will win $100 from Red Envelope.

So, what do you think? Will you dare? I hope you'll join us! Tell me you will!

November 13, 2013

Free Farmhouse Dining Table Plans

November 13, 2013/ Michelle S

Today we'd like to share with you how Nate built our farmhouse table. Nate wrote the directions last night. I had to translate them. I wonder if there is a Rosetta Stone for Nate. He can build farmhouse tables but he most definitely can't write coherent sentences. I can sort of write coherent sentences but I can't build tables. We're quite the pair.

Here are free dining table plans so you can make your own farmhouse dining table!

Material List

4 Table legs (We used these from Osborne Wood.)
3 - 1"x4"x8'
3 - 2"x4"x8'
6 - 1"x7"x8' barn boards (You can use 1"x8"x8' boards, ripped down to 7")
Kreg 1 1/4-Inch Pocket Hole Screws
Kreg Mini Jig Kit
Titebond-3 Ultimate Wood Glue
Brad Nailer
1 5/8" Brad nails (if using ship lap barn boards)

Cut list

1"x4" (Apron boards)
- 2 @ 30.25"
- 2 @ 82"
2"x4"
- 5 @ 38"

*affiliate links included

Directions {Table Base}

Attach the 1"x4"s to the legs using pocket hole screws and wood glue, offsetting 3/8" back from the front/sides of the leg tops.

Assembling the table is easiest done on the floor or work bench if you have one large enough. I recommend assembling the table upside down, as shown in the photos. Starting from the leg, mark 10.5", 25.5", 40.5", 55.5" and 70.5" on the long 1"x4". Using these marks, attach the 2"x4"s to the 1"x4".

Depending on the finish of the bottom and table top, paint or stain the legs and apron.

Directions {Tabletop}

On the first board you are attaching the tabletop, determine the top of the board and then flip it over. Mark the board using the drawing below. You need a mark 2" from the end and 1" from the side. Flip board back over and place it on top of the table matching up the marks with the top corner of the table legs.

If using ship lap barn boards, secure the board to the top with brad nails.

Contuine attachign all boards with brad nails until all boards are attached. I did have some boards that were slightly warped, as is expected with barn boards. Really big clamps came in handy to help straighten them out. I also had some boards that did not want to stay down with brad nails so I went under the table and drilled in some pocket holes which helped pull the board down and secure it better.

If you are not using ship lap barn boards, attach all boards using pocket hole screws, then attach top to the bottom using pocket hole screws.

A hand planer (or larger planar) really helps in starting to get the boards all level. If you don't have a planar, a belt sander will work. It just might take you longer. Plane and sand the boards until all smooth. Apply stain and poly (or paint). Read how we finished our tabletop here.

Host a dinner party and enjoy your fancy new table!

Want more info?

Be sure to check out our "build it" page for more free furniture tutorials!

Free Farmhouse Dining Table Plans {DIY Tutorial}

Who's ready to build their own? Do you speak Nate? ;)

November 11, 2013

Rustic Farmhouse Dining Table

November 11, 2013/ Michelle S

Say "hello" to our new dining room table and chairs. (Finally. Am I right?)

Farmhouse Table Reveal. Farmhouse table with colorful chairs!

I love how happy the room is now. It's no longer a stuffy formal dining room.

We hosted a beer tasting party on Saturday night and the table worked out beautifully. I'm pretty particular and I was always worried about our old dining table getting scratched. I would have been hyperventilating in the corner as beer rings were added to the table top. Instead I was able to enjoy my Moscow Mules in peace and enjoy the party. Scratches don't matter. Beer rings wipe right up. All is right in my OCD world.

Having seating for eight versus six was pretty awesome too.

The yellow made me a bit nervous at first. (COLOR IS SO SCARY!) I think it's the yellow chairs that add that extra bit of fun that the room needs.

A random daisies in Mason jar photo because daisies and Mason jars make the world a better place.

Like always, one new project leads to another new project. We are going to replace the hutch with a smaller cabinet with open shelving above it. I love the hutch but Nate and I both feel it's making the room a little stuffier/heavier than we want it. I'm excited for open shelving to display my ever growing Pyrex collection. It'll be a great way to add some more color to the room as well. Who am I?